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Private assessment using DISCO near(ish) Brighton or London

NAS63612

Hello! I'm looking for a private assessment for my 15 year old daughter, but struggling to find someone who specialises in girls within my price range (up to £2k I guess) and near to where I live.

My youngest child was diagnosed via NHS, although it was a lengthy process, she is very symptomatic and it was easy for them to diagnose.

However, the signs are much more subtle in my eldest and I feel the ADOS assessments would just ignore the difficulties she faces whilst concentrating on things like imaginary play etc (I've had this form sent to me by one psychologist already.) Plus the Ines I've asked want info from school but as my daughter says, there's no point as she always tells them (teachers) what they want to hear so she doesn't have to carry on the conversation. So I feel the DISCO method would be better suited for her needs.  

Can anyone recommend someone who is more familiar with older girls on the spectrum who isn't a million miles away from Brighton.

many thanks.

Ursula  

  • in reply to NAS63612

    You're very welcome! I hope your daughter can be diagnosed soon and access whatever support she needs.

  • in reply to Miaow_Purr

    Thank you! I will look at both of those and also contact NAS. London is easy enough to get to so I don't mind travelling with her to there. I appreciate you replying, so thank you. 

  • Hi Ursula,

    I would suggest calling the NAS helpline (link text at top right of this page called 'Helpline / Contacts') to ask them, as they have a directory of services, including private ones, which can be searched by location, so they should be able to advise you on what is available in your area (from memory, they can also email you a document listing those services with their contact details and the types of assessment/services they provide). I don't know whether NAS can tell you the diagnostic tool which each private assessor uses, but you would be able to look each one up (i.e. check the information on their website) and contact them to find out, if their website doesn't tell you.

    Two I know of (both in London) are:

    South London Psychology Partnership (southlondonpsychologypartnership.co.uk/.../) - their website says that they use DISCO.

    Ken Greaves (www.kmgconsultancy.co.uk/) - his website doesn't seem to say which method he uses, but there is a lot of information on there, including a video of him talking about his work and approach.

    I had phone discussions with both of the above (with Caroline at SLPP and with Ken himself) a couple of years ago, when I was looking into diagnosis for myself, and personally would be confident using either of them. Also, I made sure at the time that they were both experienced with diagnosing women and girls. I can't say how much they are currently charging, but I believe that they were both below £2k then (hopefully, they haven't put their prices up!).

    Unfortunately, I don't know anywhere in Brighton, but I hope that gives you a starting point.